Almost fifty years ago to the month, British rock band Wishbone Ash brought out ‘Live Dates’, their most commercially successful album. A milestone, not only for the band, but also in the history of rock music. “At the time, we had been on tour non-stop for three years, had released ‘Argus’ – from today’s point of view our most important studio album – and were like a well-oiled machine,” remembers founder Andy Powell, who continues to helm the group. “We had made a name for ourselves as a dynamic live act, so it only made sense to capture the energy and vibrancy of our shows on a live album. Fortunately, the record company funded the costly Rolling Stones Mobile Recording Truck, so we were able to record several shows during our UK tour and compile the most powerful moments on ‘Live Dates’.” Fast forward half a century and we find ourselves in the summer of 2023, with Wishbone Ash celebrating the anniversary of their 1973 concert classic with a new edition. “New” meaning: the same material in exactly the same sequence, performed by the current line-up and recorded at Daryl’s House Club in Pawling, New York.
The new release is entitled ‘Live Dates Live’ and will be available on CD, vinyl double LP and for digital download on Steamhammer/SPV from September 29, 2023. Andy Powell: “‘Live Dates Live’ is our tribute to the original and our thank-you to all those fans who have been instrumental in making Wishbone Ash one of the few bands from the early seventies who are still active today, who still record new albums and tour on a regular basis.” Of course, Wishbone Ash mark 2023 has little in common with the 1973 line-up. Or do they? After all, guitarist/vocalist Andy Powell still keeps a tight hold of the musical reins. In addition, guitarist Mark Abrahams, bassist Bob Skeat and drummer Mike Truscott are first-rate musicians, some of whom may be a lot younger, but ooze the original spirit and philosophy of this outstanding band. Tracklisting:1. The King Will Come2. Warrior3. Throw Down The Sword4. Rock n Roll Widow5. Ballad Of The Beacon6. Baby What You Want Me To Do7. The Pilgrim8. Blowin’ Free9. Jailbait10. Lady Whiskey11. Phoenix The new live album “Live Dates Live” will be released on September 29, 2023 worldwide through SPV/Steamhammer as CD digipak, 2LP gatefold, download and stream: https://WishboneAsh.lnk.to/LiveDatesLive
UK Tour 2023:
01.09. UK-Derby – The Flowerpot
02.09. UK-Chester – Live Rooms
04.09. UK-Lincoln – The Drill
05.09. UK-Hunstanton – Princess Theatre
06.09. UK-Bury Saint Edmunds – Apex
07.09. UK-Stamford – Corn Exchange
08.09. UK-Coventry – hmv Empire
09.09. UK-Wolverhampton – KK’s Steel Mill
10.09. UK-Lytham – Lowther Pavilion
12.09. UK-Southport – The Atkinson
13.09. UK-Cumbria – Kendal Brewery Arts Centre
14.09. UK-Glasgow – The Ferry
16.09. UK-Edinburgh – Queens Hall
18.09. UK-Berwick Upon Tweed – The Maltings Theatre & Cinema
19.09. UK-Newcastle Upon Tyne – Wylam Brewery
20.09. UK-Stockton-on-tees – ARC
21.09. UK-Leeds – Brudenell Social Club
22.09. UK-Holmfirth – Picturedrome
23.09. UK-Bury – The Met
25.09. UK-Milton Keynes – The Stables
26.09. UK-Shoreham by Sea – Ropetackle Arts Centre
27.09. UK-Southampton – The Brook
28.09. UK-Wimborne – The Tivoli
29.09. UK-Exeter – Phoenix Arts Centre
30.09. UK-Gloucester – Guildhall
01.10. UK-Pontardawe – Arts Centre
03.10. UK-Bristol – St. George’s
04.10. UK-Basingstoke – Haymarket
05.10. UK-London – O2 Academy Islington
US Tour 2023:
27.10. US-Stuart,FL – Lyric Theatre
28.10. US-Boca Raton,FL – The Funky Biscuit
29.10. US-Tampa;FL – Skipper’s Smokehouse
01.11. US-New Orleans,LA – House Of Blues
02.11. US-The Woodlands,TX – Dosey Doe
04.11. US-San Antonio,TX – Sam’s Burger Joint
07.11. Las Cruces,NM – Rio Grande Theatre
08.11. US-Tucson,AZ – 191 Toole
09.11. US-Phoenix,AZ – The Rhythm Room
11.11. US-Agoura Hills,CA – The Canyon
12.11. US-San Juan Capistrano,CA – The Coach House
European Tour 2023:
07.10. PRT-Albufeira – Costa Festival 2023
10.12. BE-Ittre – Zik-Zak
12.12. NL-Maastricht – Muziekgieterij
13.12. NL-Alkmaar – Victorie Canadaplein
14.12. NL-Bergen op Zoom – Gebouw T
15.12. NL-Hengelo – Metropool Het Paradijs
16.12. NL-Helmond – Cacaofabriek
17.12. NL-Lelystad – Corneel
European Tour 2024:
10.01. DE-Tübingen – Sudhaus
11.01. DE-Freiburg – Jazzhaus
12.01. DE-Osnabrück – Rosenhof
13.01. DE-Affalter – Zur Linde
15.01. DE-Koblenz – Cafe Hahn
16.01. DE-Regensburg – Alte Mälzerei
18.01. DE-Bensheim – Musiktheater Rex
19.01. DE-Barby – Gasthof zum Rautenkranz
20.10. DE-Dortmund – Musiktheater Piano
21.01. DE-Nürnberg – Hirsch
23.01. DE-Munich – Ampere
24.01. AT-Vienna – Reigen Kulturhaus
26.01. DE-Reichenbach – Die Halle
27.01. DE-Cologne – Kantine
28.01. DE-Hamburg – Grünspan
30.01. DK-Copenhagen – Amager Bio
31.01. NO-Oslo – John Dee
02.02. DE-Worpswede – Music Hall
03.02. DE-Berlin – Quasimodo
05.02. DE-Augsburg – Spectrum
06.02. CH-Pratteln – Z7
07.02. CH-Rubigen – Mühle Hunziken
08.02. DE-Aschaffenburg – Colos-Saal
09.02. LUX-Dudelange – Kulturzentrum Opderschmelz